At Dharali, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, a powerful cloudburst killed at least four people, left fifty more missing, and caused significant damage. Social media is flooded with images and videos of the destruction, and despite ongoing rescue operations, the situation remains dire.
The tragedy happened late at night as the area saw flash floods due to a strong downpour. Wild rivers destroyed roads and houses, carried cars away, and left a huge pile of wreckage in their wake. To the administration’s surprise, panic quickly spread throughout the affected areas.
Authorities quickly dispatched NDRF, SDRF, and local emergency units to Dharali. “According to the latest information, there has been significant property damage. It is difficult to confirm the total number of casualties at this point,” said Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey.
उत्तराखंड- उत्तरकाशी के धराली गंगोत्रीधाम से पहले खीर गंगा में बादल फटने से बहा गांव pic.twitter.com/5taxDQPPF3
— अजयेंद्र राजन शुक्ल / Ajayendra Rajan Shukla 🇮🇳 (@AjayendraRS) August 5, 2025
He added, “Our army team has reached the site. District officials, SSP, and health department teams are active on the ground. Saving lives is our top priority.”
As visuals of the disaster went viral, they depicted homes submerged in water, vehicles crushed under debris, and terrified residents fleeing to safety.
ALSO READ: Uttarakhand Cloudburst Triggers Flash Floods: Notable Past Disasters
Public Outcry Over Illegal Construction
In the Himalayan region, the tragedy has rekindled discussions about unplanned construction and encroachment near rivers and streams. On the social media platform X, a user posted, “Here we go again, same mistake — please, at least build homes 300 meters away from rivers. Learn something.”
Another user questioned the long-standing negligence: “Were these houses always near the river, or were they built recently? People forget what’s not theirs and take it for granted.”
Recurring Pattern Raises Alarms
This isn’t the first time Uttarakhand has witnessed the wrath of a cloudburst. Just days ago, a similar incident occurred in the Kedar Valley of Rudraprayag, where multiple vehicles were buried under debris. Fortunately, no lives were lost there. However, in Dharali, the situation appears much worse, with dozens still unaccounted for and communication lines partially disrupted.
Rescue Underway, but Hope Dwindling
The ongoing rescue effort is running out of time as the likelihood of discovering survivors decreases. With 50 people still missing and the region enduring unpredictable weather, the problems are only becoming worse. Officials continue to emphasize the significance of disaster preparedness in the region, even as locals demand long-term planning and strict enforcement of construction codes close to bodies of water.
